The idea of stuffing a big engine into a small car is one of the most quintessential rules of having fun behind a steering wheel.
Putting a V8 engine under the bonnet of a Mazda MX-5 is hardly an original idea but it’s still one of the most exciting concepts in the automotive realm. Flyin’ Miata is one of the best in the business of dropping massive power levels into the popular roadster and also one of the first to offer a V8 conversion for the ND platform.
The shop took a crate LS3 6.2-litre V8 engine, paired it to a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed gearbox and then found a way to cram it into the MX-5. The chassis was also enhanced with a new suspension, the biggest wheels and tires that could fit, thus allowing for bigger brakes, a very important feature if you’re planning to more than triple the power levels of the stock model.
As for the final numbers, Flyin’ Miata says that their car is now making 525hp and 489 lb-ft of torque, with the car tipping the scales at around 2600lbs (1179kg) fully wet. They also claim that the weight balance shifts from 52-48 front-rear to 53-47, thus not affecting the car’s dynamic character.
Another impressive fact of the conversion is that all the factory gauges work as they should with even the stop/start button still being functional. As for the price, Flyin’ Miata asks for $50,000 plus the donor car, which might sound a bit too much but judging by the work involved and the fact that Flyin’ Miata can deliver you a ready-to-drive, turnkey example, sounds like a nice deal for the right person.
As for how it drives, watch Mat Farah’s first impressions on his latest One Take video linked below.